(English) Metta Blog #15: Ayurvedic Self Care Rituals in the Spring

Spring is a trying time for our bodies to navigate.  As the temperature outside fluctuates, this demands our interior thermostats to be responsive.  Our blood system and organs have been on winter mode for 3 – 4 months.  Our blood has thickened to hold heat. In winter, our metabolism is trying to hold onto calories to deal with the cold and our nervous system is in heating mode.

In the Spring season, our body is in the opposite mode to winter. To traverse Spring with ease, we need to reverse these body systems to help the body expel heat and digest to release winter build up.  We need to let our liver and spleen relax through deep breathing and perhaps a juice cleanse.  We need to take more time at the end of each day to relax and let our nervous system recalibrate.  Plus to help our organs, we need to rehydrate and nourish with teas, warm drinks and soups.

#1 – Start each day with a warm glass of water which you have added the juice of fresh lemon to help alkalize your body chemistry. You can add some honey to the drink to help it be more palatable.  Over a few days, your senses and body will accommodate and appreciate the lemon drink as it soothes and rehydrates your body.

#2 – Stretch everyday.  To help your body, try starting your day with gentle full body stretches, some skin brushing and followed by the Sun Salutations. Then lay down and breath deeply for a few minutes. Your body will love you for this.

#3 – Get outside and walk for 15 minutes everyday.  Do this on your way to work or at the end of your day. Moving your body in the coordinated motions of walking, massages all of our organs and benefits all systems of our bodies.

You have unexplained fatigue, catching every flu or cold that is going around, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, allergy flare ups, rashes, itching skin, swollen hands and feet, water retention, PMS, headaches, joint pain that moves around the body, sore feet in the morning, weak immunity and/or constipation.

These are all signs your lymphatic system is not functioning properly and your body needs a reset.  spring is considered the best season to support our organs to flush and reset their functions. In Ayurveda, abhyanga massage, food choices and juice cleanses are prescribed to reboot the lymphatic system. Read Metta Post #16 to find out what an Ayurvedic cleanse is and can do for you.

Annually, my yoga classes in March and April will present Spring self care rituals. Plus, keep checking in to my Metta blog posts on what Ayurvedic techniques and foods help us stay balanced and healthy.

In Metta, Allison Ulan

Allison Ulan
Senior Yoga Teacher and Vipassana Meditation Teacher
B.F.A., E-RYT senior 500 Level, IAYT, YACEP
Director and Lead Instructor – A Balanced Approach Yoga Training Programs